A Survivor's Prayer

Recently I was asked to give a table blessing at Relay for Life Survivor's Dinner. I've never survived cancer but my dad has. I tried to write the words I thought he would like to share. This is what emerged.

A Survivor's Prayer

God, I do not know what to say. Except, of course, "life is beautiful"

I do not think of it often. But sometimes when it's quiet,

I pause,

I think,

of think I might not have seen,

ballgames, band concerts, graduations, weddings, birthdays,

daughters becoming mothers and aunts,

sons becoming fathers and uncles,

grand-kids.

O God, my grand-kids!

And a million other things I would have missed. And I'm

humbled.

And I'm confused.

And I'm happy.

I'm oh so happy!

Thankful to be here. Thankful for this food. Thankful to be surrounded

by so many others who are

thankful too.

So let us celebrate. And let us dance.

And let us eat and be merry!

Because I've seen all that

which I should not have seen.

May thanksgiving be forever in my heart!

Amen.

Dry Bones

In the yard stood a sapling.

Its slim tender branches had been nipped by deer.

They had made a meal of its bark as well.

And the rabbits had nibbled away at its base.

God said to Ezekiel, "Mortal, can these bones live?"

It was a stick really; just a twig.

Except it lay vertical instead of horizontal

But in the spring it grew new bark.

It sprouted new leaves and dropped new fruit.

Ezekiel said in reply, "O Lord God, you know."

Flight of the Snowbird

They have such and elegant feather.

You shant keep them bound with a teather.

Though we beg them to stay,

they all fly away.

For lo, they doth fear the weather.

When North the days grow shorter and cold

it is time for an action quite bold.

Mittens? They do not choose.

Wool caps? They refuse.

Their sweaters they never unfold.

Then its off to warm Arizona.

Perhaps Texas or California.

And now they travel by plane

by car or by train.

No stopping in Oklahoma.

Take to the skies! Beaks pointed Southward!

Where they shant find a single cheese curd.

Our beating hearts do yern

praying they return

Behold the flight of the snowbird!

Zacchaeus

Here is a call to worship I created for use at First United Church in Little Falls, MN. It is inspired by the story of Zacchaeus, which can be found in the Gospel of Luke 19:1-10.

Call to Worship
One: There is a rap upon the door. A gentle knock against our gates.
Many: Who is there? What dear visitor has come to join us?
One: It is Salvation! She has come to join us this morning. Shall we let her in?
Many: Yes! Throw wide the door! We had hoped to see her today.
One: Salvation! Come in, come in. Join us in our home.
Many: We're so glad you could make it. Come, tell us one of your stories.
One: Yes, we love your stories of mercy, forgiveness, peace and abundance
Many: Salvation, would you please, remind us how to live?

Panic

and the words cover their faces
obscure their vision and plug their ears
the words seep into their mouths and rest on their tongues
the words fill their lungs

until they can see nothing else, hear nothing else,
taste, breathe and feel
nothing else

and the shadows of the past are not shadows
but living breathing anchors
holding them captive to visions of themselves and the world
no longer true

and so they struggle to find hidden paths and hear new voices
to sing novel songs and taste fresh fruit

but though the words are all consuming
and the visions overwhelming
they struggle on

and they must
because this struggle is ours as well.

So said God to the angels.

At the Crossroads

The coals seem cold, the flames grow low
Yet embers slumber in our bones
At crossroads we gather though we be few
To light the fire and burn anew

Ode to Proces 2.0

Ever changing ours the journey
Shift we down life’s earthly path
Seeking fresh new ways of living
Alleluia allelu

Moments bloom from wombs maternal
Resurrection present now
Newness springs from ground eternal
Alleluia allelu

Toward your vision lure us always
Incomplete and not yet done
Heaven breaks forth in our own time
Alleluia allelu

Ever present, ever flowing
Fount of life be known to us
Spirit bless us on our journey
Alleluia allelu